July 23, 2020 at 4:11 p.m.
Oneida County sheriff's office requests $188,529 for squad car cameras
Young; 'We're on the verge of going to garage sales to find the parts ...'
Oneida County sheriff's office requests $188,529 for squad car cameras
By Rachael Perry-
"Numerous have failed and are no longer working. We have tried to get parts off eBay, but it's not doing so hot," Hartman said. "We have a lot of squad cars that do not have video cameras in them and I think given how society is right now, we need to move it to 2021."
The sheriff's office is due for new cameras in 2022, however given the circumstances facing sheriffs departments across the country, Hartman said it's a priority one for them. He feels waiting until 2022 could put them at a disadvantage.
Hartman estimates for the 2021 camera replacements, the cost should come to a total of $177,390 for all 30 squads. He has the cost at a 10% contingency for $188,529 in the event the cost exceeds the original estimate. The total for the cameras reflects the $6,284 needed per squad and the superior quality of the new cameras.
"It will be a camera in the front, camera in the back and then there's an arbitrator that they dump off when they come into the office and are stored there," he said.
Although the committee was taken by surprise at the total cost, they were all in favor of Hartman's request to move the new cameras to 2021.
"I think all squads should have them (cameras) for our own protection for our officers," Hartman said.
Captain Tyler Young told The Lakeland Times on July 17, the department has had the cameras on their capital improvement list in the past, but ended up putting off replacement to address more urgent needs.
Now, however, they've had to start piecing them together.
Young said the issue isn't with the camera systems. The problem is the small components are breaking and replacement are hard to find due to the age of the equipment. "We're on the verge of going to garage sales to find the parts because it's that bad," Young said, adding that they have a quote for the same brand's newer model, but are still researching other manufactures.
Now that the public safety committee has approved the request, Young said it will likely have to be approved by the capital improvement committee followed by the full county board.
Rachael Perry may be reached at [email protected].
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